On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence signed a contract worth approximately 210 million EUR with the German company KNDS Deutschland (part of the German-French joint venture KNDS) for the delivery of 12 armored bridge layers based on the Leopard 2A8 tank chassis.
Photo: the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence
The contract stipulates that each set will be equipped with two 14-meter bridge spans and one 26-meter span. In addition, an integrated logistics support package is included, covering training for operators and technicians, specialized tools, simulators, spare parts, and technical documentation.
“The LEGUAN bridge layers will significantly increase the mobility and tactical flexibility of the Lithuanian Armed Forces on the battlefield. When required, armored vehicles will be able to quickly overcome natural and man-made obstacles, which is critically important in modern warfare. This acquisition strengthens the defensive capabilities of both Lithuania and NATO’s entire eastern flank,” said Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.
The Leguan system allows for the deployment of a single bridge span measuring 26 meters in length and 12 meters in width, or two spans each 14 meters long with a combined width of 24 meters. The bridge enables the crossing of military vehicles up to Military Load Class (MLC) 80 (approximately 70–73 tonnes for tracked vehicles and 83–85 tonnes for wheeled vehicles). The automatic deployment system allows the bridge to be laid in 5–6 minutes, depending on its length, while recovery takes 7–8 minutes. The system is operated by a single person.
Leguan bridges have been delivered to the armed forces of a total of 22 countries on various chassis, including Germany, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, Greece, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Hungary, and the United States (as the M104 Wolverine, where they are being replaced by the M1074 JAB). Croatia and Portugal have also expressed interest in acquiring the system.
Lithuania’s purchase of the Leguan systems accompanies the acquisition of 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks for 950 million EUR.
🇱🇹 Boosting @LTU_Army mobility: we are acquiring LEOPARD 2 A8 LEGUAN bridge-layers. Armoured, tank-mounted. Deploy bridges over wide obstacles in under 6 minutes, keeping our forces moving. pic.twitter.com/gfHbxZIbPR
— Lithuanian MOD 🇱🇹 (@Lithuanian_MoD) January 29, 2026
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